Occupational and Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy is provided to students with disabilities to assist them in benefiting from Special Education. Occupational Therapists (OTs) help students develop the underlying skills that are prerequisites for academic learning and vocational training. OT’s use purposeful activity to promote a child’s active participation and independence in the areas of self-maintenance, academics/vocational skills, and play or leisure activities within the school environment. OT’s look at a child's underlying skills and issues related to hand function, oral motor function, visual motor and visual perceptual skills, sensory awareness/processing, self-care and pre-vocational tasks in the educational setting.

Occupational Therapy Services include the implementation of a child’s special education program by collaborating with parents, teachers and other educational staff using direct and indirect services, as well as assistive technology and environmental modifications.

Intervention Strategies may include:

Direct Therapy with the child in small groups or one-on-one

Indirect or Consultation with Educational Staff and other disciplines

Modifications of the environment

Provisions of Adaptive Equipment

Staff training and inservice

School personnel request Occupational Therapy support when the student’s educational participation is affected as a result of difficulty with the following functions:

Daily living activities

Feeding and Oral function

Play skills

Task organization and completion

Written communication skills and hand function

Sensory integration (processing)

Visual perceptionThe Purpose of Occupational Therapy is to help students:

Develop Sensory Motor skills

Perform daily living activities required for school functioning

Develop independence with:

School mobility

Participation on a regular and timely basis

Mental storage of material

Using tools and supplies

Participating in activities throughout the school settings.

For more information, you may contact the Pupil Personnel Services at 860-622-5112.